Men's recurve archers grab bronze in World Cup

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian men recurve archers have claimed their seventh World Cup podium when they pipped 2012 London Olympic champions Italy to the bronze medal in Salt Lake City, US on Sunday (June 24).

Khairul Anuar Mohammad, Muhd Akmal Nor Hasrin and Haziq Kamaruddin defeated Italian trio Michele Frangilli, Mauro Nespoli and Marco Morello 5-4 to successfully defended the bronze they won last year.

The Malaysian showed nerves of steel as they prevailed 25-23 in the three-arrow shoot-off after the match was tied at 4-4 (55-52, 54-55, 53-51, 53-55).

The gold went to the Netherlands after they beat China 5-1.

The third place outing has surely assuaged Malaysia's earlier disappointment in the second leg in Antalya, Turkey last month. Khairul and team lost in the playoff for bronze to Britain.

Malaysia's other five medals were secured from their four runners-up finishes in Boe, France (2008); Antalya, Turkey (2008); Shanghai, China (2011); and Medellin, Colombia (2013), as well as another third place effort in Antalya 2009.